Most bad first containers are not caused by bad factories. They are caused by questions nobody asked before the deposit.
1–3: the product
Which mortise body does this model use, and does it match the doors in my market? Is the face module 3D or 2D? What is the false-accept rate on spoof attempts?
4–6: the paperwork
Which test reports ship with the goods? Is the app region set for my country? Who owns the cloud account the lock talks to?
7–9: the commercial side
What is the spare-part policy after the model is discontinued? What is the carton quantity and the volumetric weight? What happens on the first RMA — replacement part, credit note, or return?
Why this order matters
Product questions protect the end user, paperwork protects customs and certification, commercial questions protect the second order. Skip the third group and the first container is a one-off.
Takeaway
A supplier who cannot answer 7–9 in writing is not ready to be a partner.